The earth crises & consequence of climate change, cyclones and steps to prevent

Civilization seems to have turned man's head and evidence is increasing everyday in support of this. The more life becomes cushier for him, the more ruthless he becomes, especially so when it comes to nature and the environment around him. What were merely being felt as jitters and apprehensions earlier have turned into full blown threat—in order to tend to his selfish interests, man has grossly disturbed the hitherto healthy and diverse ecological order and has plundered natural resources to levels that will leave no scope for replacement. Human consumption is increasing at a pace much faster than the rate of replenishment. Nature is replete with flora fauna and mineral resources in enough measure. All of man's needs would be satisfied if a judicious approach were adopted.

If nature were to have its way, complementary and supplementary roles played by various species would be facilitated with great ease, cleansing the environment to ensure survival of all living entities. However, what is happening is a reflection of utter disregard towards the elementary basis of life. However, the effects of a reckless despoiling are fast showing. The weatherman has never been so clueless before and never before has freak weather befuddled people across the globe to such an extent—this despite all the leaps and bounds made by science and technology. US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported that the number of 'extreme precipitation events' (blizzards and heavy rainstorms) in the US has increased by 20% since 1990. Parts of United Arab Emirates have received snowfall, hill stations are becoming warmer, large tracts of deserts are flooded—flooding occurred in Barmer in 2006 usually in the news for being drought-prone. Farmers across the world are a worried lot. Climate change also has major human and economic repercussions.

Extreme weather often brings death, disease and homelessness, and costs vast sums of money. There is a vividly perceptible shift in the climate and the phenomenon has moved on from being simply a reason for worry. Extreme weather events around the globe are on the rise both in frequency and intensity. And whatever the causes behind rising temperatures, the threat to man is clear—the coastline of the Maldives has risen by 0.3mm, the Arctic snow is melting, and there has been a major breach in the Antarctic ice shelf. Closer home, the WWF station in Ladakh has been recording increasing humidity and rainfall in this dry region. There has been drought in Assam (normally associated with heavy rainfall) for the first time in hundred years. Cyclones in the Bay of Bengal are also becoming stronger and more frequent. It is also true that linking these freak phenomena to climate change will require a lot more research. The threat of destruction looms large and it would be really unfortunate if man were unable to move towards rectifying it and in time.

While these are alarming issues that must goad individuals and government's out of slumber, there is a need to analyse the issues that lie at the root of the problem. The first one relates to the population size and the consequent pressure that it exerts on the land. Most of the human concentrations are in areas that have, over a period of time, become ecologically fragile. The areas inhabited densely experience a tremendous pressure on its natural resources, have sanitation concerns and spur inappropriate practices for livelihood generation. The result is that the environment is damaged.

Also, since people are unable to draw sustenance in the longer run from that area, it sets off a higher incidence of poverty. This, in turn, lays ground for further harm as exodus happens to another place and the story repeats. Unless man is sensitized towards the delicate nature of the environment, the hen that has been laying golden eggs for him will itself perish. People across the globe need to unite in a bid to combat the environmental problems. It is not a country specific phenomenon and nature does not recognize national boundaries. A regional approach to conservation must be undertaken, wherein people of a region, whether it encompasses countries or several States, cooperate to rectify it. Another factor that could help in a great measure, if built on, is the development of and education in environmental ethics.

The issue is larger than simply being concerned with wildlife pollution or man's exploitation. It has to raise the uncomfortable questions of need vis-à-vis greed and of comforts versus luxuries. The viable way out of this quandary appears to be a voluntary restriction on things that can be done without. Any new initiative or strategy for development must essentially incorporate a respect for environment. Man has to move beyond the dictates of technological feasibility and economic profitability. He must incorporate environmental friendliness as the other most significant factor in his equation.

The earth crises & consequence of climate change, cyclones and steps to prevent

The earth crises & consequence of climate change, cyclones and steps to prevent

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